Project Flying Fox
Stages 1-3 - People, Places & Environments
Geography and Science
Location
E.G. Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens
Overview
The Project Flying Fox program is designed to showcase one of Australia’s most important long-distance pollinators. These incredible creatures are much maligned by the general public, many of whom have a fear-based relationship with them. By learning more about these amazing mammals, students will be able to spread much needed education within their families and communities about why it is so important we protect and preserve this very misunderstood keystone species.
Key syllabus outcomes
- GE3-2 Explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments
- GE3-3 Compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments
- EN3-OLC-01 Communicates to wide audiences with social and cultural
- EN3-VOCAB-01 Extends Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary through interacting, wide reading and writing, morphological analysis and generating precise definitions for specific contexts
Key inquiry questions
- How do people and environments influence one another?
- How do people influence places and the management of spaces within them?
- Why is it so important to preserve long distance Pollinators for Australian landscapes?
- How can we manage animal populations whilst still allowing for urban development?
Suggested timetable
| 10:00 - 10:30 | Introduction, toilets & fruit break/recess |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Guest speaker |
| 11:10 – 11:50 | Walk through bat colony |
| 11:50 – 12:30 | Origami/paper pot |
| 12:30 – 1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 1:40 | Aboriginal perspective |
| 1:50 – 2:00 | Feedback, reflect on key inquiry question |
* There may be variations to timetable based on specific location, group size and weather
Students will:
- listen to an expert explain what the Flying Fox needs to survive and thrive in an urbanised setting
- observe a taxidermy bat
- participate in a guided walk around a bat colony
- learn how bats fit into Aboriginal culture including its use in the Dharawal calendar
- listen to an Aboriginal dreamtime story about a bat
- create a pastel drawing of a bat
- make an origami bat
- make a paper pot to plant a seedling